HUMAN, NATURE! - A visual archive of human–nature experiences.

A series of conceptual portraits combining people, plants, and personal quotes to explore individual relationships with nature.

HUMAN, NATURE! is an ongoing portrait series exploring the relationship between humans and the natural world. Each photograph emerges from the direct interplay between person and plant, revealing how inner experiences can take on a visible form. The original statements of the portrayed individuals add a personal and poetic dimension, highlighting the role nature plays in their lives.
The series invites viewers to see nature not as something separate, but as something connected to us.

Quotes:

01 EMEL AYDOĞDU: “My first experience with nature was my grandmother’s garden. There were pomegranates, figs, apples, and grapes — and the most beautiful flower in the meadow was the radiant poppy.”

02 YULIA YÁÑEZ SCHMIDT: “I recently found a beautiful bench. From there, with my head leaned back, I could look straight into a blooming cherry tree — soft white petals falling above me, surrounded by bees and insects. Beautiful. A bit like a film scene, but real.”

03 FREIGEFYHL: “In nature, I can recharge my batteries and escape from the sometimes overly vibrant everyday life. Moreover, I draw a lot of inspiration for my compositions from nature. In the forest, the air is fresher, and the soundscape is more pleasant than in the city. A walk in the woods is always beneficial.”

04 MARTINA MACKOWSKI: “It’s important for me to spend time in nature to recharge and find tranquility. I enjoy spending time in the forest and love the sounds, the bird songs, and the rustling of leaves.”

05 DUYGU OGUR: “I enjoy being in nature. When I walk into the forest, I feel seen — the ground, every living being, and even the air I share with them become one with me.”

06 VEIT ALEX: “Nature has always been a place of retreat and safety for me. In my youth, when I struggled with bullying, I found peace in the forests around my boarding school. While others might have felt lonely, I was able to find distance — and ultimately, myself.”

07 SARAH KNAPPIK: “Planting trees is something very special to me. It’s a beautiful feeling to see something grow that will remain on Earth longer than oneself. I love giving something back to nature, because I love it — it gives me strength.”

08 MASSIMO BUONERBA: “The often unrecognized beauty of nature unleashes my curiosity and drives me to explore, protect, and share the diversity of this world.”

09 ANDREAS LANGE: “As a child, I spent a lot of time outdoors, often in the nearby forest climbing trees or playing hide and seek. The tall trees always had something powerful about them — they gave me a sense of protection and security.”

10 PETRA EMMA: “The farther the gaze, the more profound my connection with nature becomes. There is an entry in my poetry album from my father: ‘A tree with deep roots fears no wind!’ This quote has accompanied me throughout my life and gives me strength and stability.”

11 OLIVER SCHÄFER: “At the age of fifteen, I started creating a garden and grew alongside it. It grounds me when I spend time there; I can recharge with new energy and find fresh inspiration for my creative work. I believe that once you truly connect with nature, you can and will understand it better.”

12 ANUSCH KHANSAI-KOZIOROWSKI: “Being in harmony with nature empowers me. Time spent in nature grounds me. It makes me feel strengthened for the challenges of urban modern life.”

13 MARK HOFFMANN: “I especially enjoy being outdoors in spring and summer. I love the longer days, the warmer weather, and the blossoming of nature. The intense scent that rises after a summer rain fascinates me every time.”

14 PAULA DOBRINSKI: “I don’t want to lose touch with nature. I want to continue treating it with care and appreciating its value to us. When I walk through the forest at my own pace, it’s the play of light and color that gives me a sense of serenity.”